No problem is so formidable that you can't walk away from it.

We often hear people grumble about how hard it is to get a job. Most are already losing hope. Most of them come from the provinces. Some are even from the remotest areas trying their luck here in Manila. They have this notion that opportunities are here. What they do not know is that, although, bigger chances of opportunities are here, the very tight competition will impede them from getting close to their dreamed break.

(Needless to say, many companies, especially the big ones, prefer applicants coming from the most prestigious schools and universities in Manila.)

Poor people usually would point out how deprived they are of so many things, including a comfortable life. Those who live in the shanties beside creeks, I often hear them point fingers at the government as if it is the government’s obligation to feed them everyday and supply them all their daily needs.

How about those people who are working their asses off just to support their families and themselves? Are they not also the government’s responsibilities as citizens of the country? I hate it when impoverished people complain that way.

My view about this is that they (the indigent people) also have responsibilities to themselves. Like, for goodness sakes, when you go to slum areas, you will witness how indolent people are living there. All they do (almost) the whole day is to gossip about the latest showbiz happenings…about a neighbor living the next door…about nonsensical things that do not in any way help in earning them even a centavo.

You will also see adolescent men taking pleasure in drinking alcoholic beverages (gin or beer) in front of the stores almost everywhere even early in the morning! Who ever gave them the right to complain when they are the ones causing their misfortunes? Had they worked their way out of their present condition, they could’ve somehow elevated their status… which, later on, could stop them from whining and blaming the government for their state.

Lizzie would often reiterate to me that I should not always pity the needy. Yes, I understand his point. Poor people, they are poor partly because it’s their choice. Like, I know some poor people who were given the chance to study as scholars. Good will. But, they screwed up the chance. They let it go away.

Just a couple of months ago, I was to help a teenage girl to get a job. I was telling the mother that it would be better if she earn and save money so she won’t need to depend on anyone since it’s only her mother who’s working for the family. The mother only works as a house helper; earning only 2,500PhP a month. The girl still has two more siblings. Both are studying. One is in Elementary and one is in high school.

But, in stead of taking that advice / offer, she married a teenage boy who doesn’t have a decent job like her. Am just wondering who’s going to support them? What if she becomes pregnant?

… and they even prepared a good wedding reception last June. For crying out loud?! Where the *&^$ did they get the money to spend for that event? Just unimaginable.

Lemme emphasize that the mother is just getting 2,500PhP per month and two of her 3 children are studying. How much is the daily spending needs per family in a month?

According to a research, “for areas outside NCR, the daily cost of living was 662.93PhP”. This figure was the COL back in 2006. I wasn’t able to get the figure for this year.

So, 2,500PhP in a month is a very inadequate sum to support the needs of all the members of the family for the whole month. A family should actually get around 19,887PhP per month.

I am not against it. I mean, it’s their life, y’know. Why the heck should I care?! Yeah yeah, I know I sound so anti it. But, I really find it impractical, though. She’s just 17. And just imagine how many teenage girls and boys marrying at a very early age? What’s going to be the future for them and their children?

This situation is more prevalent in the provinces. People marry at a very young age. The earliest I heard of was 15. A few of them eloped. Eventually, the parents would just consent for an arranged marriage (is this even the right term?).

I find this really alarming. And, I actually believe that early marriage is one of the major causes of broken family or failed marriage. Why? Because they are still too young and they do not know the consequences of their actions. They still do not know what they want. And they do not understand that marriage entails responsibilities and obligations. Sooner or later, they will realize that this is not the person they want to be with for the rest of their lives. Eventually, they will just call it quits.

So impractical. So habitual. I dunno but as a concerned citizen, I think this problem should be solved firstly. I have heard so many situations where a young boy gets a young girl pregnant and the parents would resolve to arrange a marriage for them. Which, should not be the case.

Not that I do not value what everybody else is valuing. It’s just that a mistake should not be covered with another mistake. Marriage is not always the solution. Especially, not for kids.

I have blogged about limerence a couple of times before. I think it’s about time that we become practical with every decision we make before it’s too late.

I have also seen this documentary -- Reversal of Fortune (2005) -- about a homeless man who was given a $100,000 by a film director. The idea was to do a lil experiment, “what would a homeless man do with this huge amount of money?” It’s interesting, right?

I got interested because I have always been thinking of doing charity work. And I really wanted to know if giving them ( poor people) money to start a life over would truly help. Just as expected, the homeless man just blew the $100,000 off!

Of course, this is just one example. Who can tell with so much certainty that the others would do the same? Well, here in Manila, there was a lotto winner who won a lump-sum millions. If I remember it right, it’s 8 million PhP something. That was about a few years back. Now, the winner’s life hasn’t changed a bit. Still living in the same house and still living the indigent life.

How pathetic!

The money was spent for unnecessary luxuries -- rented a suite in a nice hotel, spent 20,000PhP cash everyday for whatever… -- they did not even think that no matter how big that money maybe, it could be gone in a flash.

Same thing with the other needy people who were able to climb up and reached a certain success but now are again living miserably. They screwed up. One example? Nah...won't drop names. She's a BIG star.

On a television documentary, I have learned that there are homeless families who have 13 members and up. There are couples who have 12 children and to think that they do not have a decent shelter. Plus they don't get to have a decent meal. They only get to eat once in a day. Just some 'pandesal' and a cup of coffee for all 13 of them. At night, they just find a waiting shed for them to stay.

Now, what is this ranting about? Just what am I trying to say?

Simple, before others can help you, you better help yourself first. You better understand that there are lots of opportunities for you no matter where you are and who you are. It’s just up to you to take it in or screw it up.

And for people like me who have visions of helping the needy, you better realize if the help you are giving will truly help. You have to understand when to help and who really needs help.

Anyway, for people who are determined to uplift their status, here’s a list of websites you can check for job opportunities.

Best Jobs
JobsDB
Learn For Good
Call Center Jobs
My Trabaho
Trabaho.Com
Manpower Philippines
Jobstreet

I don't mind being sexy and girlish and womanly...

Everyone wants to have an attractive body. I included. Especially, I will become one of the most coveted models of those popular glossy magazines in the country. (yeah, yeah…dream on!)

That’s why I am currently on a very strict diet. But, no matter how strict as I describe it to be, there is no way I will survive the day without nibbles. GRRR! I wish they will be banned here in the country. Waaaahhhh!!!

And really, dieting requires so much discipline. Not that I have little or none of it. Just that, whenever I see someone eating, I’d get enticed to grab a bite, too. I miss pizza, pasta and rice. Poor me. But, I have to remind myself that it paid off. Just look at my tummy. *enthusiastic smile* You will agree with me.

You might be asking how did I achieve that flat abdomen? No, I did not touch the picture. Honestly. No PhotoShop was used to make that effect. It’s authentic! Fwahahaha. (For a lack of better term.) Well, that was not really the result of the “strict dieting”. It was because of the 3 day extreme depression from April of this year.

No. I won’t talk about it anymore. Just find out for yourself. What? Should I spoon feed everything to you? Why not browse my blog and learn why? Hehehe Just a suggestion. Don’t be scared. I did not intend to frighten you. As if I can kill you if you choose not to, right? That’s just if you want to know. *wink*

So, obviously what I will blab about today is about ways to lose weight...Some, I have tried. Some I just read about it.

You know what is the best way to lose weight?

Starve yourself.

Yes, that is very effective…only it is unhealthy. bwahaha!!! It could kill (worst case, of course). Seriously, I tried starving myself in the past after gaining so much weight. In great desperation, I must say.

The only things I ate during those episodes of food deprivation were crackers. What made it tough for me was the feeling inside the stomach. Can anyone relate to what am saying? It feels warm as if something’s boiling inside. Then, Id hear my stomach growling loudly that the other person (and even the other person beside him) beside me can hear it. Hehe. That one.

Green Tea...nah-uh!
Defintely NOT for me!

…and yeah, I used to drink tea, too. But, how I hate the taste. Am not a lover of tea so forgive me if I said this. Not that am saying it tastes awful. To me, it is. Hehe. Sorry, am just being real honest. I tried putting some honey. I also don’t like honey. *sobs* It would take me 3 hours to drink a cup of tea, y’know. It’s like am being punished or something.

At the same time, I worked out, as well. I have this step exercise equipment. Used to be a loyal user of it. One sunny day, after deciding that I should start working out again, I took it off the old chest, which was in the basement. It was dusty and had lotsa cobwebs. This is an exaggeration, of course.

There are just so many ways to lose weight. Countless, actually. Tried a few and so far, everything worked. At least, for me, so don’t quote me saying that ‘any diet will work for everyone’. I think it also depends on one’s body type.

I found out about “Blood Type Diet”. Only a small percentage knows about this. Perhaps, those who are like me who never stop looking for a more effective way to lose the excess fats and maintain a well proportioned body have come across this type of diet plan.

Basically, it’s just choosing the right food for your blood type. Yes, you read it right. According to the author, there are certain foods that can’t be properly digested by some blood types. Say, I am a type A, I cannot properly digest rice and red meat such as pork and beef).

Want to know more? Check this website.

How can I forget about the more popular diet plans like South Beach and Atkins? They are all effective, I must say. It all depends on how well you follow through the plan. Takes a lot of discipline, determination and dedication.

Did you make the same mistake, too?

Sometimes, when I have this urge to eat, I just do Atkins. I eat small portions and then perform workout to burn calories. It’s very basic. I think, this is the best way to lose weight since, you won’t have to deprive yourself of your favorite foods. Anyone who agrees with me, raise your hand. *wink* But, of course, great discipline is involved. Just eat small portions and make sure to exercise.

The idea is to program your system to eat just enough food. In fact, during the first phase of this type of diet program, a participant is allowed to eat whatever he wishes to. But, of course, there is an equivalent workout to follow for every type of food consumed. Sounds good if you have spare time to waste away doing a physical activity.

Yeah, I almost forgot, it’s a low-carb diet. A participant should cut down on carbohydrates.

I am not promoting any diet program, ok? This is just to lay some options for you. You may or may not join any diet programs. There are reliable websites that can provide you information about different weight loss programs. If you get to understand the logic behind each, you can opt to do it on your own. But, you won’t have a nutritionist to guide you which foods to eat, though. Anyway, it’s not such a problem since, like what I said, everything’s on the net. Just GOOGLE it.

Another diet plan that promises remarkable result (they say, it should make you lose 10 pounds in a week) is the Cabbage Soup Diet. In 7 days, all that you will eat is …what else? …the Cabbage Soup! It’s a nightmare, though. But, if you are determined (like if you badly need to lose weight after having been offered to be the next month’s UNO Magazine’s model), then nothing can/should stop you. Actually, you may just opt to starve yourself eventually. If you ask me, the idea makes me nauseous.

I recently tried, Oatmeal diet. All I ate for a couple of weeks was oats! Of course, there were times when I added some things on it. Don’t ask what. Hehe But, the monotonous routine, of course, eventually driven me to pine for delectable treats.

Yes, it did help me lose weight significantly. *wink* Here’s a pretty good read to convince you.

Aside from the diet programs, there are exercise programs that can truly help you achieve the body you’ve always dreamed of. You need not be envious of those very skinny runway and magazine models, anymore.

Most of us (mostly girls) have problems with our abdomens. Flabby and ugly love handles! Disgusting! Some have lotsa stored fats around the thighs. Yuck! What an ugly sight, right?

Does this help increase your motivation?

Sadly, there is no exercise to specifically target certain areas like what I just mentioned. There is no better way but to dedicate oneself on regular cardio exercises. Some of the best cardio exercises include running, biking and swimming.

Interval training is also one good way to start giving your body a fresh new look. Of course, it will take time. It is not an instant result, come on! It takes patience and great motivation to attain that body you wish for. Set your expectations low because for some people, it takes really long to notice a positive outcome. Who knows, you’re one of them?!!! *devilish laugh* So, just keep on. *wink*

Interval training is a kind of workout practice involving intense exercise periods followed by low intensity periods. Basketball is a good example. (My favorite sport)

Try running really fast for about 2 minutes and then slow down. It’s better if you stop for a few minutes and then repeat the routine. It will surely help you burn calories and at the same time, increase your metabolism.

To learn the basics read here.

It’s also helpful if you do resistance workout and weight lifting.

Ok, I will share with you the best advice I can give… There are actually three things that you need to do to make sure you get rid of fats.

1. You have to change your eating habits and be watchful of your calorie intake. As much as possible, eat plenty of vegetables and fruits. Avoid those that are high in carbs, though.

2. You have to exercise regularly. Keep moving. Take at least 10 minutes of walking everyday. In stead of using the elevator, use the stairs. Especially, if you have time. Hahaha Good luck to those who have to climb the 20th floor!

3. You have to live a healthy lifestyle. Healthy lifestyle means, get enough sleep, avoid too much stress, quit smoking and drink occasionally (if you can’t really stop).

These are just basics. It is, of course, important to do your own research. Learn and don't be discouraged.

More reads:

EHow - How To Lose Weight

Net Doctor - How To Lose Weight The Healthy Way?

How To Lose Weight Tips